The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-07-07

His providence to higher and nohier
In the cause of humanity
and the government of the people,"
Captain Reeves, of Richmond, on
behalf of Pickett's veterans, respond
ed say ing it was an occasion long to
be RENE III bered and cherished, AMI
urging the erection of National mon
ument commemorative of the dead of
both armies. on the ground watered
by the blood of Hancock's and Pick
ett's divisions
Col. Mcclure followed Capt. Reeves,
concluding as follows: Il greet you
in the name of the great North now
inseparably interviewer with the great
south in sympathy, in interest. and
in fellowship"
Col. Wm r. Aylett, who succeeded
Gen. Armistead as commander Of The
brigade upon his death, respon ded on
behalf Of-Virginia to Pennsylvania's
welcome. Among other sentiments
uttered by Col. Aylett were these
' 1 utter it as a sentiment that comes
welliug up from every bosom of Vir-
ginia and the South that the man who
would rekindle again that feeling
wh ch filled our land with death and
tears and grief and mourning, with
graves and SUFFERING, is not only un
worthy the high title of American
citizen, but even that of human being,
and should find no home or friends on
earth or in heaven. There is
not true man today at the South but
who feels as if he would like to stand
at tn "a tombs of Lincoln and Grant to
plant flower there and TO water it
with-a manly tear. In the presence
of feeling like this, too sacred and
deep for utterance. what matters it
who shall keep the battle flags? They
passed into your hands in brave and
manly combat, u Untouched by dishonOr,
after o baptism in blood that made the
gray Jacket mantle of glory, and We
are as willing that your people should
keep them as ours. They are in the
hands of our government and breth
rem, to whom our honor should be as
dear as as their own. Never again will
our old battle flags wave in strife.
They have gone down forever, but
they went down in glory and honor.
They are dead, and we love and follow
alone, now the living flag which floats
from Key West to Behring Straits
| from Bunker Hill to San Francisco" p"
Speeches were made by several gen
tlemen, prominent representatives OF
the Blue aud Gray. Letters of regret
were received from humber of dis
tinguished citizens, among them one
was read from the President,a as follows:
Executive MANSION, /
WASHINGTON, June "a, 1887
I have received your invitation to
attend, as a guest of the Philadelphia
Brigade, q reunion of eXConfederate
soldiers of Pickett's division who sur
vived their terrible charge at Gettys
burg, and those of the Union army
still living, by whom il was heroic y
| resisted. The fraterial meeting of the
| soldiers upon the battle field where
| twenty four years ago in deadly fray
they fiercely sought each other = lives,
where they saw their comrades fall,
and where all their thoughts were Oi
vengeance and destruction, will illus.
| trate the general impulse of brave
men and their honest desire for peace
and reconciliation. The friendly as
sault there to be made will be resist
less, because inspired by American
chivalry; and its results will be glori-
| GUS, because conquered hearts will be
its trophies of success, Thereafter this
battle field will be consecrated by q
victory which shall presage the end OF
the bitterness of strife, the exposure OF
the sincerity which conceals hatred
| by professions of kindness, the con
demnation of frenzied appeals to pas
sion for unworthy purposes, and the
beating dowplof all that stands in the
way of the destiny of our united coun
| try. While those who fought and who
have so much to forgive. lead in the
/ pleasant ways of peace, how wicked
appears the traffic in sectional hate
and the betrayal of patriotic sentiment
It surely cannot be wrong to desire
the settled quiet which lights for oul
entire country the path to prosperity
ald greatness nor need the lessons o
the war be forgotten and its results
Ijeopardiz ID in the wish for that genu
inc fraternity which inspires national
4 pride aud glory. should be very gla.
TO accept your Invitation and be will
i you at this interesting reunion, bu
other arrangements already made ant
my official duties here prevent my
doing so. Hoping that the occasion
will be successful and useful as its
promoters can desire, l am, yours very
,ruly, GROVER CLEVELAND.
The 81 was largely observed in th'
dedication of monuments, and the 4tf
was celebrated by the blue and gray
veterans in patriotic exercises,a fittin.
! finale of the reunion.